Notes by Clive Dakin
Location
4.5 Nautical Miles (Approximately a 1 to 1.5 hour Journey)
Calshot is our closest cruising destination. These notes describe the route to the ‘Solent’ or Eastern side of Calshot Spit.
This cruise destination is on a shingle beach about 1 nm southwest of Calshot Castle (radar). For general location, find ‘St‘ on the Cruise Destination Map.
Google Maps: click here.
Why go to Calshot Beach
This destination provides a fairly simple, short route, particularly if the wind is from an Easterly direction. There is a café situated at the southern end of the spit together with public toilets. It can be used as a ‘Shakedown’ cruise or one including people who do not want a long day on the water.
How far is it?
The distance is 4.5 Nautical miles. This assumes that the passage planned involves staying on the Meon shore side of the Solent before cutting across the entrance to Southampton water.
Planning:
The wind direction and strength on the day will determine whether this is considered a satisfactory choice of destination. I would suggest that this cruise is best conducted on a rising tide to avoid some of the navigation restrictions near the landing site as well as provide assisting tidal flow for the return journey. Therefore, if planning a mid-morning departure from Seafarers a HW Portsmouth of between 1400hr and 1600hr on the day, will be beneficial.
Route
As stated above the route is quite straightforward. However, it is not possible to avoid sailing in the ‘Precautionary Area’ to reach this destination. In this area you must not pass within 1000m in front of any commercial vessel or sail within 100m of their beam. The best way to approach this is to cross the entrance to Southampton Water from off Solent Breezes and aim for the shore in front of Calshot Castle. If the wind is favourable and commercial traffic is not a restriction then you can consider moving across the entrance earlier in the passage. The most important aspect is to make an individual boat decision not just follow other boats on the cruise.
Navigation
The graphic below shows the track taken by the cruise in April 2021. It shows the hazard local to Calshot Spit.
Social
The café serves good food and drink. However it is fairly small so there will likely be a wait to endure during sunny days.
Useful Links
Reports of Previous Cruises to Stanswood Bay
You will find reports of cruises to Stanswood Bay within the Cruise Reports as follows:
- 2021: 18 April
Photographs of Previous Cruises to Stanswood Bay
You will find albums of photographs of cruises to Stanswood Bay in the Gallery Archive as follows: 11 August 2004, and 18 April 2021.
